Consolation, March 17, 1943
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Contents
New World College la Dedicated
Ite Name and Location
The Main College Building
Registration
Dedication Exercises
Other Training Features
Student Reactions
«lty Word Is Truth”
, Humility in Action
Why the Jews Are Being Slain
The Jews Are First in Line
Conditions Get More Gruesome
Jesuits Get Busy Everywhere
“Latin-American Jews Attacked”
Shatterproof Light Bulbs
Slave Labor for the -Reich
Missing It by a Hair ;
Things That Already Are
Killing Off the Chinese Republic
Against-Every Republic
Entirely Pagan
Demonism in Phoenix
America’s Menace
‘ Catholic Bus Bills
Presenting “This Gospel of the Kingdom”
Coherence
' Here and There
The Columnist and the Clergyman
Published every other Wednesday by WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, INC. 117 Adams St., Brooklyn, N. Y.. U.S.A.
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The Columnist and the Clergyman
♦ Columnist George E. Sokolsky, in the Zanesville (Ohio) News, of October 2,1942, defends his use of the Bible’s wisdom, in his writings, against a critical minister. He says:
Many clergymen these days devote their sermons to current literature and current events.
Tho particular clergyman resents . . . my using the Bible to make a point. Yet, it is as natural for me to turn to the Bible as it is for him, perhaps, to turn to a modern writer. I find a wealth of analogy there.
After all, five thousand years of human experience is of greater value than a world which commenced in 1933 and has never been right since.
I am sure that one of our major difficulties —and when I say “our”, I mean the whole of mankind—is that we have lost guidance, moving rapidly but without compass.
The end of the nineteenth century threw God over as a guide and accepted Science, but Science offered only facts but no guidance, knowledge but not wisdom, details to the minutia of the electron but no philosophy of life.
And in the twentieth century we accept the great teachings of economics and sociology and our prophet was Karl Marx- -and where are we"? We are confused and perplexed. ~We are like madmen, hating each other.
Every miserable prejudice and pettiness of the most primitive savage has become a way of life adopted by millions of people, and praised as an ethical procedure.
Two thousand years of slow, painful effort to lessen the bestiality of man, to civilize him and soften his nature, has been wiped away by the resurgence of brutal materialism.
And yet, it is a clergyman who says in a letter, “The bringing the Bible to hear evidence for him, [struck me] as disreputable.” Where shall one turn these days for guidance ? To politicians who deceive? To clergymen who have become politicians?
I turn to the wisdom of the ages and find there a transcendent comfort.
CONSOLATION
“And in His name shall the nations hope.”—Matthew 12:21, A.R.V.
Volume XXIV Brooklyn, N. Wednesday, March 17, 1943 Number 613
New World College Is Dedicated
ANEW WORLD of righteousness is at hand. As one of the visible evidences of its imminence a college of the highest learning was dedicated the first day of February, this year. The opening of this college in the midst of a world engaged in total war resulting in destruction of many institutions of higher learning and the closing down of others is quite in the opposite direction from the course of the old world. While yet at war the governments of nations, states and cities are planning for the postwar period of this same old world. The new college, however, has not been established to aid in such postwar arrangements. It represents entirely the New World which God himself will establish \when the postwar setup of men goes down.
The warring nations are already on the march to a still greater conflict, the battle of Armageddon. After the present global war ends with victory for the United Nations as it is hoped, and the postwar “new order” sets in, the nations will keep on with their march to the grand climax, “the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” It marks the final end of the old world. Then comes the new world, with its Theocratic Government of everlasting life, happiness and prosperity on earth in an enduring peace.
All persons of good-will who discern the “signs of the times” and who desire to survive the great world cataclysm and to enter into the. unspeakable blessings of the righteous new world need now to be informed concerning these tremendous events which face us all. Being enlightened and given the opportunity to act intelligently, such seekers of life and happiness can make a choice and take their stand for God and his Theocratic Government before Armageddon’s fight. The new college is dedicated to the work of educating the people in these matters affecting their eternal destinies. Hence the establishment of the college is not an indication that the battle of Armageddon is farther off than has been believed hitherto by students of Bible prophecy and the times, but is a strong indication that the time till that battle is short. By inaugurating the college its backers are not seeking to extend or lengthen the time until Armageddon, but are striving to speed up the campaign of education which must be carried on world-wide before the great tribulation breaks.
AH engaged in this work of enlightening humankind concerning the new world must intensify their efforts because of the shortness of the time that remains. To this end the New World college has been set up at this late date. During the sixteen centuries of “Christendom’s” existence, and now particularly since World War I, religion has failed to give the people the needed information. The New World college is not a religious affair, but is Christian, and hence meets the people’s greatest need of the hour.
Study of sacred prophecy indicates that God has a fixed time to begin His fight at the battle of'Armageddon; as it is written in the maxims of the wise man Solomon: “To every thing there is
a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace/’ (Ecclesiastes 3:1,8) Therefore, whatever any creatures on earth now do could in no wise move forward the date of Armageddon or push it back. At most, students of the Scriptures can | only take cognizance of the evidence of Armageddon’s nearness and can then apply themselves to the utmost and in the most effective manner to get the allotted work done on time. The interim between the close of World War I in 1918 and the beginning of tire battle of Armageddon constitutes the time period by which Jehovah God Almighty shortens the days of tribulation. Concerning this the great Master prophesied, saying: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21,22)- It is therefore urgent that all who want life in the new world avail themselves of God’s provision for salvation which He causes to be published during this period of shortening the days. Thereby such ones may be hid in the day of His anger and may be of ‘that flesh which is saved’ during Armageddon. . '
It is plain, then, that the establishment of the New World college is not by men, but is the provision of Almighty God at His due time and according to His infinite mercy to mankind. The college is no matter of passing interest, but should command the attention of all persons seeking the way of life on earth under God’s kingdom. Such will therefore read with keen interest and enjoyment this account of the dedication and opening activities of the Watchtower Bible College of Gilead.
Its Name and Location
Why this institution ranks as a college, and why it has been so named, we leave to the president thereof to explain, as follows:
The word “college” appears in the Bible record at 2 Kings 22:14 and 2 Chronicles 34:22, in connection with the typical Theocracy over the Israelites. It was at the capital city, Jerusalem. The word “college” is here translated from the Hebrew word mishneh, which means literally “doubling or repeating”. If the word here means an institution of learning, where the prophetess Huldah dwelt, then it marks a “college” as a, place where instruction on special subjects is repeated but in an advanced and more intensified way so as to increase one’s familiarity, capacity and efficiency therein, and thus doubling one’s ability. It is a secondary institution, and hence farther advanced than a primary one. Such, indeed, is the Watchtower Bible College of Gilead. It is so called because it is operated and maintained by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Inc., of New York, and the college faculty of instructors are ordained ministers who are representatives of the Society. Though listed according to the law of the land as a -“religions institution”, it is in fact a Christian college for Bible training.
The name “Gilead”, which marks the main building of the institution, is significant. It means “heap of witness”. The first time a place was named “Gilead” was when Jacob gathered stones into a large heap and called it “Gilead”. There his father-in-law Laban said to him: "This heap is a witness between me and thee this day.” “Therefore was the name of it called Galeed [Gilead]; and Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.” (Genesis 31:48,49) There a heap of witness was made of stones, symbolizing a covenant between Jacob and Laban. Jacob had served his time under Laban to receive Laban’s two daughters in marriage and he was leaving Syria, never to return; and this heap of witness was a testimony to an agreement that L^ban would not pass by there unto Jacob’s territory, nor would Jacob pass by it unto Laban, for harm.
It was lat^r at Gilead, and in Mizpah (meaning “Watchtower”), where Jephthah
(1) Summer view of the college building, Gilead, from the northeast.
(2) Looking northward from the receiving platform of Gilead on the opening day of the college.
Four hundred yards up the highway is building No. 1, where classroom C is located.
assembled his troops and began to drive back the Ammonites and, won the fight for the right of Israelites to worship Jehovah God in spirit and in truth. Jehovah’s witnesses are engaged in a like fight now against totalitarian forces of encroachment.
Two years ago this building was named ' < “Gilead”. Today we see it being used in the | preparing of ministers who, by the Lord’s grace, will, in all parts of the world, pile up a heap of witness for the Kingdom and for the vindication of Jehovah’s name.
This is a college of the highest learning, Theocratic learning concerning the Most High God, Jehovah, and His capital organization under Christ, arid the operation of its visible part now on the earth. Hence it is not a college of so-called “higher learning” according to the standards of this world. .
The original Gilead lay in mountainous territory east of the Jordan river. Gilead, as the main building of the Watchtower Bible College is named, is located in the highlands east of the southern end of Lake Cayuga, a lake forty miles long and three miles wide, one of the “Finger Lakes” famous in Indian lore. It nestles in the beautiful south-central section of New York state. The mountainous region of ancient Gilead was highly adapted to cattle raising. The college building of Gilead is located on a 701-acre area called “Kingdom Farm”, and where a considerable number of cattle are raised, together with other livestock. The land is very fertile, and was acquired especially for the purpose of raising food for the headquarters family of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society at Brooklyn, N. Y., and also to support and feed the student and faculty personnel of the college, a total of approximately 375 persons. Hence it has been operated in behalf of educational interests, in harmony with the chartered purposes of the Society. Gilead is ideal for a place of study and concentration; it is quiet and far removed from the distractions of the noisy city, and allows the utmost tp be obtained from the lessons studied.
The many magnificent and most modernly equipped farm buildings that spot the entire countryside on both sides of the main highway through Kingdom Farm present a very pleasing landscape.
The Main College Building
The building Gilead faces the direction of the sunrise. It houses a farm family, and also the teachers and most of the college students. It is a fireproof brick-and-concrete building, of three stories in height, with a commodious basement, 130 feet long and 80 feet wide. It is plain-looking on the exterior, but within is replete with all up-to-date conveniences contributing to the needs and comforts of those it houses. At the front there is a broad concrete receiving platform, with steps at each end. A main central doorway marks Gilead’s facade, and over it is a copper plate on which is engraved the name “GILEAD”, and underneath, in a marble block, is “Kingdom Farm 1940”. As one enters .Gilead, to the left of the broad hallway is the farm servant’s office, behind sliding glass windows. To the right is a beautiful partition of frosted glasswork, with two windows, one for the farm commissary, and the next for the college, registrar. By a swinging gate one enters into the registrar’s department. Immediately next thereto is located the college library, the shelves of which contain valuable reference books needed for the use of the faculty and students.
Passing to the end of the corridor one enters into the college assembly room, 65 feet by 48 feet, and large enough to seat 300 persons. At the eastern end is a large carpeted podium, of two steps up, on which stands an ornate walnut table, six feet long, on which is a golden damask throw. On the wall immediately behind are gorgeous damask drapes of golden brocade. In the center thereof, overhead, is a banner of like material, with gleaming golden block-letters reading “GILEAD”. On pulling a cord the central drapes part, revealing, underneath, a blackboard for the service of any instructor or lecturer demonstrating on the platform. On the ceiling, just in advance of the speaker’s table, there is a battery of four long, fluorescent illuminating tubes that produce a power light without glare. Other lights with elegant refracting mantles are so spaced as to give evenly distributed light throughout the auditorium. Natural light is allowed by large French ~ style casement windows which swing outward
when opened. A huge The podium in the assembly hall of Gilead.
fireplace with sloping
shoulders also adorns this northern wall. books. Thus each room is designed to
The seats are not fixtures, but movable, and are put in place in such number as occasion requires.
Flanking the assembly hall to the left, or south side, are classrooms A and B, with a spacious lounge parlor in between. This parlor has a corresponding fireplace and is provided with settees, lounges, rockers, tables, floor lamps and bookshelves for the comfort of the students and for quiet study. Classrooms A and B are of the same size. In addition to electric light fixtures and steelframed' windows in each room the interior walls are topped with a glass frame two feet high just below the ceiling, to admit of maximum radiation of light. On the' western Avail, alongside the instructor’s desk, is a blackboard, twelve feet long. Each room is also equipped with thirty-four chairs, each having a flattop right arm on which students can rest their writing material to take notes during class periods. A frame underneath the seat holds their
accommodate a study class of the maximum number considered to be the best for each student to receive the proper individual attention.
A college must eat. A partition at the western end, with like glass topping, separates the’ assembly hall from the dining room. Here are ten lengths of tables, sufficient to accommodate 150 persons at one time. A large motto, “Jehovah Is Our God,” graces the western wall. The large kitchen, with adequate equipment such as dishwashing machine, refrigerators, etc., is to the right .of the dining room, and to- the left are the college stockroom and a linen room.
From the dining room one stairway leads to the basement, and another to the dormitory on the second and third floors above. The basement is of sturdy concrete work, with the same floor dimensions as of the first (or ground floor) above, and takes care of several departments, such as a hospital, storage,
The podium in the assembly hall of Gilead.
laundry, etc. The second and third floors are divided into two wings with an open court between the wings, so as to permit each room of the dormitory to have outside illumination and ventilation. Each floor of each wing is equipped with adequate baths and toilet facilities I for the students. Each room accommo-* dates two students, and has a lavatory with running hot and cold water, and steam-heat radiator units. Comfortable single beds and other necessary furniture for student activities make each room a cony place.
A. third classroom, C, is located in what is called “Building No. 1”, about four hundred yards north of Gilead, on the opposite side of the highway. This requires students to get out-of-doors in order to pass from this classroom to those at Gilead, or vice versa. Building No. 1 also contains a number of rooms occupied by young men. As classroom C is where public Bible speaking is taught, the instructor has arranged the 34- seats in two concentric circles, so that each student speaking always has to face and speak to an audience when reciting.
Registration
Ever since the announcement was made, in the 1.943 Yearbook of Jehovah’s witnesses, of the Society’s purpose to open up a Bible college at Gilead the eyes of God’s people throughout the country have been turned thither, and their prayers have arisen for the divine blessing and guidance upon all the preparations and arrangements.
Early in January the Watchtower office at Brooklyn began sending out detailed questionnaires to all full-time ministers, pioneers, in the United States whose record showed they met the minimum requirements for qualification as students. One requirement is that they must have been full-time Kingdom publishers preaching the gospel from house to house for at least two years. From among the number of quest ion -naires filled in and returned a further selection was made of those showing the greatest fitness for the college course and the work in other fields for which it would train them. The one hundred selectees constitute twenty married couples, twenty-nine young single men, and thirty-one young single women. From the expression made later by these tried and tested pioneers their joy was exceeding great on receiving notice of their selection and invitation to enter the college. These devoted men and women are all ordained ministers direct from the firing lines, where the;* have been valiant fighters for the New World. In the course of their years of action afield in declaring God’s name and advertising His King and kingdom they have endured hunger, cold, storm, perils, uncertainties, and all manner of hardship and privations in order to reach the people with the Kingdom message. They have faced demonized mobs and have been assaulted, arrested, taken into courts, and have suffered imprisonments, just as the apostles of Jesus Christ themselves experienced in their work as Jehovah’s witnesses.
All provisions were made by the Society for these pioneers to travel from their various territories to Gilead. This is in harmony with the arrangement for the Society’s conducting this Bible college at absolutely no expense to the students. January 28, the first of the four registration days, experienced low temperatures and a heavy fall of snow in New York state, making travel very difficult and inconvenient. For days previous to this the pioneers were on the trek from all sections of the country, all faces turned toward Gilead. On the first registration day 26 put in appearance, from far-distant California, Michigan, and other states. This number increased to 67 on the second day, including arrivals from New -Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Louisiana, Texas, Missouri, Maine, etc. The third day the number climbed to 91; and on Sunday the last two arriving to
(1) In the assembly hall of Gilead at the opening exercises. President Knorr is addressing the faculty and student body.
(2) Part of one of the three student groups at the first study in classroom A, at Gilead.
MARCH 17,1M3 q
complete the full quota of 100 put in appearance within the hour preceding the evening’s Watchtower study in the assembly hall. The college entrants •arrived at all times during the day and nighty even as late (or early) as 3:30 r a. m., at Ithaca’s railroad and bus sta-। tions. They came by private automobile, * in spite of ration restrictions on gas and tires; because they were making trips vital to Kingdom interests, and not for pleasure jaunting, the ration boards gladly granted the necessary gas and oil to complete the trip. They made the trip without accident, although encountering blizzards and other extreme conditions along the road. Others came by bus and train, over long distances, to reach the college in time. All made it on time!
Each arrival was required to. fill out and sign a registration blank in the registrar’s office. He was then given a pink card with the class schedule of the college printed thereon, and naming the instructors of the faculty, and indicating the eight subjects for study, also the three study groups, the class periods of each day, and the order of studies of each of the three student groups daily. Having registered and received a study-group assignment, each student was then assigned a room in the dormitory, and also a definite seat in the dining room. The college term not yet having begun, they were then given various chores and duties to do about the college and Kingdom farm.
The daily regimen for the students is to rise at 6:30 a. m., when the first bell of the day sounds. This allows a halfhour to prepare for the morning assembly in the dining room. Here the day’s instruction really begins. From 7:00 to 7:20, approximately, there follows a discussion by the college students and the Kingdom Farm family on the daily text published in the Watchtower’s Yearbook. The chairman, who, in the absence of the Society’s president, is the Kingdom Farm servant, calls on the various young men for questions and comments based on the text. Following the reading of the printed comment thereon, prayer is offered in behalf of the day’s activities at the college and farm and by. all Kingdom publishers throughout the • earth. Breakfast is served immediately thereafter. Dinner comes at 12:15 p. m., and supper at 6: 00 p. m. The foodstuffs, vegetables, meats and dairy products in ample quantity, are provided largely by the Kingdom farm; and all rationed articles are purchased according to Government regulations. Evening .meetings or private study in the rooms occupies the evening hours till retirement. At 10:30 p. m. all must retire and lights must be extinguished in the rooms. Sunday night all dormitory rooms of Gilead and adjacent buildings were filled to capacity by college and Kingdom Farm personnel and visitors.
Dedication Exercises
Monday, February 1, dawned cold, •with heavy leaden skies and snow-clad fields at Kingdom Farm. The sun was not yet up when the college dedication exercises began, at S a. m. War Time, the hour which thereafter begins the daily class sessions of this institution of learning. In Gilead’s assembly hall all was earnest and eager expectation on . the part of the 161 there gathered. -Everyone sensed the importance of the occasion, realizing that here was an epochal event. which would mark a decisive step in the advancement of the interests of God’s kingdom of the New • World. It reminded one of the assembly of the 120 faithful Christians in the upper room at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, A. D. 33, as they awaited God’s outpouring of His holy spirit on them, which would equip them to preach the good news of His Righteous Government, beginning at the sacred city and' spreading to the four corners of the earth. .
The radiant faces of the one hundred college students were especially an
(1) The instructor in Theocratic field ministry outlines the course of study, in classroom A.
(2) In classroom C the instructor in public Bible speaking details the study course. Note the students are seated in two concentric circles.
inspiring sight to behold. In the front row of seats were ranged the college faculty and also directors of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Inc., of 'New York, who were to have part in the morning’s program. Promptly at 8 a. m. the college president, Mr. N. H. t Knorr, who is also the Watchtower ** president, took his stand behind the speaker’s table on the podium, the vicepresident being seated to his left. There was no noisy fanfare to inaugurate the program, no pompous procession led by solemn-faced college faculty heads garbed in long black robes and square-topped, tasseled college hats marching down the aisle of the assembly hall to blaring music. No, there was nothing here in evidence to glorify or to call attention to human creatures and their attainments.
The President’s Speech
The thoughts of all in attendance were fixed upon Jehovah God and His King, Christ Jesus, who are the Founders of this college and to whose glory and service this college was now to be dedicated. In recognition thereof, the president, Mr. Knorr, first called upon the instructor in Bible research to offer prayer to the great Theocrat, Jehovah. Then followed an absorbing dedication speech, delivered in a most sincere and forceful manner by the president. He first pointed out that it is not to the credit of any man that the college is established. He showed the purpose of the college, making it very apparent that it is no theological seminary for the incubating of priests of religion. Addressing himself directly to the student body, he said, among other things:
In your ease, you are being given further preparation for work similar to that of the apostle Paul, Mark, Timothy and others who traveled to all parts of the Roman Empire proclaiming the message of the Kingdom. They had to be fortified with the Word of God. They had to have a clear knowledge of His purposes. In many places they had to stand alone against the high and mighty of this world. Your portion may be the same; and God will be your strength thereunto.
There are many places where the witness concerning the Kingdom has not been given to a great extent. The people living in these places are in darkness, held there by religion. In some of these countries where there are a few witnesses it is noted that the people of good-will hear readily and would associate themselves with the Lord’s organization, if instructed properly. There must be hundreds and thousands more that could be reached if there were more laborers in the field. By the Jjord’s grace, there will be more.
It is not the purpose of this college to equip you to be ordained ministers. You are ministers already and have been active in the ministry for years. This is a requirement for entrance into this college. You have received your ordination from Jehovah God. Because of your works, your faithful activity, your fighting as good soldiers, you have proved your ordination and the Society recognizes you as ordained ministers. The course of study at the college is for the exclusive purpose of preparing you to be more able ministers in the territories to which you go. Your curriculum here, conducted by select, competent instructors, will include a course in college arithmetic, instructions on shipping and use of the Society’s forms and reports; manner of dealing with government officials; the required international law; a course in English and grammar to improve you therein so that you will be able to present the Kingdom gospel commendably. You will also be taught the essentials of the needed foreign language, enabling you to master the language quickly when you get to the fields to which you may be sent. You as students will get the most out of the course only as you put your best into it. You should put into the course everything that you possibly can, because you want to be fully equipped for Theocratic field ministry and the missionary service in which you will engage.
All of the above-named subjects must be studied carefully by you, but your principal training will be in Bible research and public Bible speaking, and the' understanding of Theocratic organization instructions. You are not being trained to become “Branch servants" or to direct the work in certain countries as the Society’s special representatives; but some of you may be appointed as such in due time, if that be the Lord’s will, and the work warrants it.
Your principal work is that of preaching the gospel of the Kingdom from house to house as did Jesus and the apostles. When you shall have found a hearing ear, arrange for a back-call, start a home study, and organize a company of all suchlike ones in a city or town. Not only will it be your good pleasure to organize: a company, but you must' help them to understand the Word, strengthen them, address them from time to time, aid them in their service meetings and their organization. When they are strong and can go on their own and take over territory, you can depart to some other city to proclaim the Kingdom. From time to time it may be necessary for you to return to build them up in the most holy faith and straighten them out in the doctrine; so your work will be that of looking after the Lord’s “other sheep”, and not forsaking them. (John 10:16) Your real work is to help the people of goodwill. You will have to use initiative, but looking to God’s guidance.
The speaker then referred to the Master’s words at Mark 10:28-30: “Verily I say unto you, There i^ no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” Tears welled up in the eyes of many as President Knorr, from a full heart, showed how those words of the Master have applied and will further apply to the college students after graduation and when launching out on their service in foreign fields. He concluded by saying:
Ahead of you now are five months of intensive study and work. During these five months you will undoubtedly have a most blessed fellowship one with another. . . . Your conscientious ministry here at Gilead along with your study will be a blessing to you and your brethren,. Seek the wisdom which is from above. Use all your talents, your faculties, and your abilities to the best advantage during your study here. Jehovah says: “Ye are my witnesses.” Therefore you may be confident that Jehovah’s rich blessing will be your portion during these twenty weeks according to the efforts you put forth to be such witnesses, to the honor of His name.
Watchtower Directors Speak
Mr. Knorr then introduced the vicepresident, who is also counsel for the Society, and who addressed the assembly for ten minutes. He pressed home the point that Jehovah does not do things such as establish a school through His earthly organization in vain; and that His purpose could now be clearly seen in acquiring the property and constructing the building where the college is operated. The college was established to give the highest training in the law of God and a necessary acquaintance with the laws of the land to equip the students to represent The Theocracy in those countries where they will be sent. They were likened to ambassadors of one nation in another country, and which high office as ambassadors for The Theocracy will of necessity require of each a good knowledge of the language, laws and customs of the country where the ambassador is stationed. The training course at Gilead would provide the necessary polish and education to thoroughly qualify them to discharge their duties as such ambassadors. The supremacy of God’s law over the law of worldly nations being emphasized, the college course would enable them to determine the right in conflicts between the laws of men and of God and to act accordingly. The facts show that the standards of this college would, in the eyes of God, be much higher than those ■of worldly colleges of “higher learning”, so called.
• The secretary-treasurer of the Watch-i tower Society was then invited to speak. * This tall, aged gentleman, an octogenarian who has served in this official capacity under three successive Watchtowerpresidents, first called attention to the college as the provision of the Lord and to be maintained entirely at the expense of the Watchtower Society and without any cost to the students. He gave them straight fatherly advice in the “admonition of the Lord” about faith and the importance of attending to their own business and applying themselves un-dividedly to their studies. His concluding remark amused everyone, when he said that his only regret was that he himself could not attend the college. Then with a “God bless you all” he stepped down off the podium.
Another of the Watchtower Society directors was asked to speak. “The Watchtower Bible College of Gilead is no experiment,” he began; “Jehovah God does not indulge in experiments.” Quoting Acts 5:38,39, he emphasized that this work was not of man, but of God, and therefore could not be overthrown by those who fight against God. In A. D. 1914 the heavenly Kingdom of the Greater-than-Solomon, Christ Jesus, began, and in the fourth year thereafter He came to God's temple for judgment. The twenty-year period beginning in spring 1918, and ending 1938, paralleled the twenty years of Solomon’s reign in which he built the temple of Jehovah at Jerusalem and also his own palace and judgment hall, after which Solomon carried on a great constructive program throughout the nation. Corresponding to this, it was the Lord’s due time for the Watchtower Bible College to be established now, after A. D. 1938. Its establishment, rather than indicating that the battle of Armageddon is farther off than we had believed, is actually a proof that the fixed time for that battle to begin is near. Hence the need of increasing the efficiency of God’s organized people to accomplish His work in the brief remaining time. The Bible text for February 1 was from Judges 11:34, regarding the daughter of Judge Jephthah; and the speaker pointed out that, whereas only eighteen of the college student body professed to be anointed members of the “body of Christ”, the Greater Jephthah, eighty-two of the one hundred students were of the modern Jephthah’s daughter class.
Next President Knorr called upon his secretary, to read a letter addressed to him and the faculty and students of the Watchtower Bible College of Gilead. It was from the headquarters family of the Watchtower Society of Brooklyn, N. Y., and they, the Bethel family, expressed their rejoicing over what was now taking place. They also called attention to the prophetic picture of Jephthah’s daughter and said: “May this day begin the sounding forth of the high praises of our God from Gilead, which will go to the uttermost parts of the earth and ring to the highest heaven.” An assurance of their daily prayers in this behalf concluded the letter. It was much appreciated.
Study Classes Open
President Knorr then introduced the college dean and other members of the teaching faculty and described their courses of instruction. Each teaches two subjects. On account of the dedication exercises the study periods of the day, regularly 40 minutes in length, with a 10-minute intermission, were to be curtailed. Then he dismissed the assembly by offering a fervent prayer to the Most High God, the supreme, invisible Director of this Bible college. Within ten minutes, namely, at 9:35 a. m., all the students and their instructors were at their places in their respective classrooms.
During the day President Knorr con* ducted the directors on a tour of inspection of the study classes while in session. Everything was proceeding in a most gratifying manner. It was noteworthy what enthusiasm and keen interest in the progress and attainment of the students all instructors displayed. In turn, the students made due response, showing the greatest desire to co-operate with their instructors and to improve their golden opportunity of learning and fitting themselves for enlarged service in God's visible organization. The instructors demonstrated a different approach to their subjects of instruction from that of college professors and teachers in a worldly institution. The course of instruction, therefore, promises to be most helpful and to make for the speediest progress in learning during the college term of twenty weeks’ duration. It ■was manifest that the spirit of the Lord God was upon both instructors and students, and they all certainly need it, because the course is a “very stiff” one. There are eight periods of instruction a day, for five days a week.
Other Training Features
All study, with no diversion or physical exercise, is not a good thing. Instead of providing for such exercise in the way of gymnasiums and athletic events, concerning which the apostle Paul says, “Bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things” (1 Timothy 4:8), the weekday schedule calls for three hours (3-6 p. m.) of prq-ductive work by each student, at some essential chores and duties about the college and the Kingdom farm. Some students are assigned to serve in the dining room, others in the housekeeping, and others in the egg department, the barns, the fields, landscaping, etc. Such helping to maintain the college and the productivity of the Kingdom farm for their own support is not for the purpose of exploiting the students, but is to enable them to receive valuable training and to relieve the additional strain of the greatly increased number on the farm and to provide partially for their own sustenance from the yield and conveniences of the farm. Furthermore, on this work they will be graded by the college faculty as well as on their studies and behavior, as to their efficiency, cooperation, neatness, reliability, initiative, and tact.
Each Monday evening all students are required to attend the Advanced Course in Theocratic Ministry, conducted in the general assembly hall, and in which the members of the Kingdom Farm staff also participate. All receive the half-hour instruction talk and a quiz on last week’s lecture, the assembly then dividing up to go to four halls. Here the male students deliver short Bible talks, followed by constructive criticism by the instructors. Each Thursday evening the weekly service meeting is held, and on Sunday evening an hour’s study of The Watchtower, the people of good-will in the surrounding community being free to attend this. At each of these meetings the college students are given practical training in the matter of conducting study meetings and addressing assemblies. There is a rotation of chairmen of these meetings, also of those who read aloud the questions for study and the paragraphs of the lesson and who deliver speeches at the service meeting.
On Saturdays there are no regular study classes, but students who desire to consult their instructors for help and information may do so in the morning. They have the afternoon off . to attend to personal matters or to engage in the field service then as well as in the evening, particularly in offering the maga- -zines, The Watchtower and Consolation, on the streets and in the stores of the near-by cities, such as Ithaca, of 30,000 inhabitants, Cortland, and others. Every fifth Saturday will be an examination period; and any student failing to make the grade required at the first midsemester examination will be discon-tinned from the college and returned to regular pioneer work in the United States. For grading students, the point system is used: “A”, for excellent, equals 3'points; “B”, for superior, 2 points; “C”, for average, 1 point; “D”, for pass
, ing, 0; and <fE”, for failure, -1.
t Sundays are not left open for idleness. The curriculum calls for “applied missionary service” during the day, putting into practical effect the things which they have learned at the college as to preaching the glad tidings from house to house, making return visits upon the interested people, and conducting model Bible studies and book studies in their private homes. This is important, because the student grading takes into account their records made in this Sunday activity.
Student Reactions
At the noon and evening meals of this memorable Monday the students effervesced with joy and appreciation over their privileges of study, and the method of instruction, and the comprehensive course of study ahead of them. "Attending college is just wonderful 1” exclaimed one young lady. Quite a number enrolled at Gilead are also graduates of worldly universities and colleges, and several of these remarked upon the superiority of the training and education they were beginning to receive here at Gilead. The faces of the instructors themselves mirrored great pleasure and elation at the day’s accomplishment. Said the dean of the college, who is a graduate of Tulane University and also a licensed lawyer of experience: “I’ve taught schools in Louisiana, and also taught in college, but I have never had any glasses of students like these here.” That night, at the Advanced 'Course in Theocratic Ministry, the dean delivered the talk of ' instruction on “How to, Study”, which was the closing exercise of the opening day. Then, after the usual Bible talks by the students concurrently in the four different lecture halls, the students and
Kingdom Farm family reassembled in the main hall. There President Knorr gave them some final words on college life, as to rules governing their conduct in group association, mutual helpfulness and consideration of one another, and the, Lord’s organization, which they represent. .
It was going on ten o’clock when the assembly was dismissed, making it a full day indeed. With great joy and gratitude to the loving Giver of all good and perfect gifts those present then retired to their rooms and other places of abode to take a blessed night’s rest, to refresh them for the greatly anticipated next day’s round of privileges.
The Watchtower Bible College of Gilead is now a reality, a going concern. It is in verity a New World college. Being devoted to the purposes and service of the Theocratic Government of the Most High God, it is an institution of learning of the highest standard. This.college is no mere accident; it is a divine provision. Already it has begun to make its influence felt in its locality as the students unitedly go forth on week-ends and take the cities and towns by storm, publicly and from house to house declaring Jehovah’s name and advertising the King and the Kingdom, and proving themselves able ministers of the gospel.
It is to be expected that the influence of the college, under God’s blessing,-protection and guidance, will make itself felt to the ends of the earth through the sending forth of its graduates. In view of the impending battle of Armageddon signaling the old world’s dismal end, the work of Gilead’s Bible college is one of immediate necessity and of defense of the people against destruction in that battle. Hence the college work is an essential work of the highest type and is of public convenience and interest. It is certain to serve, under Christ Jesus the King, for the vindication of the glorious name of Jehovah God, its Founder, c
'TayWoRD is Truth”
-John 17:17
Humility in Action
THE <?laim that the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, or any of its representatives, can bring a lasting peace or reconstruct the world for man’s happiness or benefit, when all students acknowledge fhat the Papacy is the most notorious war-fomenter of all time, would ordinarily be discounted as a ridiculous insult to intelligence, were it not for one thing: such claim is made in the Lord’s name. It therefore becomes the height of blasphemy, as well as the human utmost in self-exaltation. Such usurpation of God’s name by an organization with the longest criminal record found in history’s annals will not be overlooked by the Great Leveled when punishment for her other crimes is duly exacted. “Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down.”—Amos 9:2.
In contrast with the vain,, presumptuous conduct of earth’s great ones, observe, if you please, the humility of the Lord’s servants in action. The humblest class of men upon earth are His witnesses. Faltering not from the buffetings and assaults of hoodlums and rabble-rousing priests, they rejoice in the privilege of calling at the lowliest hut with Jehovah’s message. They ask nothing in return. If those who love the message wish to contribute to the work, that is their privilege; but if brings no personal gain to Jehovah’s servants. His witnesses are kind to those1 who hate them, and continue to call on many who despitefully use them. (Lukd 6:27,28) It is humility before the Lord that causes Jehovah’s witnesses to bring the good news to all, because they surely could have no personal reason to submit to abuse and beatings. The human tigers who pounce on the sheep of God’s fold would, except for God’s command to His witnesses, be avoided by a wide margin. (Matthew 24:14) But when any misguided ones turn from their course of evil and wickedness, as did the apostle Paul, then Jehovah’s witnesses gladly forgive and forget anything done in the past, and thereby acknowledge the rule of the Humblest of men, to wit: “Forgive us our debts [trespasses], as we for-, give our debtors.”—Matthew 6:12,14,15.
They are the humble friends of the people. They serve the best interests of the people in this, that they warn them of the coming disaster that they might save themselves from that disaster. Surely to deliver God’s warning of the approaching calamity of Armageddon is a service of kindness and good-will; and when met, as often, with sticks and stones from the very ones who are most endangered and most in need, the faithful ambassadors of Christ are rendering a service of mercy, humility, and selfabasement. Less humble men and women would long ago have abandoned a task so frequently thankless.
It should be remarked that the greatest blessing of all, The Theocracy, may be grasped only by the humble. “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34) The test of humility is therefore upon all who apply for life. One’s diversion from this supreme human blessing will result from scorning God’s messengers. O men of good-Svill, do not forfeit the opportunity for endless bliss because the Devil has caused the finger of reproach to be pointed at His people, who alone are commissioned to inform you of that happiness ahead. Jehovah permits that
test on you. His blameless witnesses have done nothing wrong; and if you join their haughty persecutors, such will exclude you from “lovers of righteous' ness”. Seek the Kingdom, though knowledge comes by way of His witnesses.
. ’ —Matthew 6 : 33.
| You who love right, mark well this hazard which must be successfully passed before receiving the Lord’s blessing: “Not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.” (Romans 12:3) Elevate and praise Jehovah, while subordinating all else. (Isaiah 46:9) Envision clearly these world disasters warned of in the Bible and which may largely be blamed on creature exaltation. For example, might not humility have prevented the unfeeling disregard now so prevalent for the rights of others? A man who knows he is no better than another would have compassion for the sufferings of his fellows. He would not recommend that the other do what he is unwilling to do. Remembering that he is flesh, he would sympathize with the infirmities of other flesh. (Matthew 9:36; 8:17; Romans 15:1) He would not want others to starve or be shot, when he demands to be well fed and protected himself. The practice of humility and love would relieve the world of much trouble and desolation and would turn the eyes upon God’s benevolent provision for relief, His Kingdom. —Luke 1: 33; Daniel 2: 44; 7: 27.
' All men who are meek enough to listen Jehovah now informs that His deliverance is extended to everyone who desires it and accepts the single condition of humble obedience to His perfect will. “The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his way.” (Psalm 25:9; Hebrews 5:9) It is the dawn of a new day, ushering in the New World. Staggering under the load of total war, men of righteousness welcome The Theocracy. Do not be afraid to grasp it! It is yours for the acceptance on God’s terms! (Revelation 22:17) Your past matters not at all if you now take His prescribed way. (Isaiah 1:18) Look with compassion upon the humble ministers who bring the Lord’s announcement, and He will not forget you in the brilliant days of “hope fulfilled”. “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” (Mark 9:41; Matthew 10:42) Doing so, you have already set forth upon the road to life.
Jehovah has purposed to have a class of men on earth who will maintain their integrity in humble obedience to Him. (Exodus 9:16; Isaiah 43:12; 46:11) Individuals once in that class, however, if they do not also continue to observe God’s admonition to humility, would fail. There are no exceptions to the Lord’s statutes governing human conduct. In fact, Satan, who was once the mighty Lucifer, shall be debased because seeking to “be like the Most High”. (Isaiah 14:14) It is therefore a time for careful regard to conduct. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed ifist he fall.”—1 Corinthians 10:12.
The apostle stated the faithful rule for the followers of Christ, at Philippians 2:3: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Ephesians 4: 2) With their eyes ever upon The Theocracy and putting its interests above self, Jehovah’s witnesses may look to the blessed operation of the rule in their behalf. In the not far distant future the tables will be completely turned upon the wicked, whose portion will be abasement and reduction to dung on the ground. On the other hand, the converse of the law will bring the blessings of life in a faultless world for God’s humble witnesses. Only the meek and humble before the Lord shall find favor in His sight, and a place everlasting upon the paradise of earth. Is it not, therefore, foolish to choose the suicidal course of self-exaltation? “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”—James 4:6.
Why the Jews Are Being Slain
WHEN the New York Times had occasion to publish a biography of Colonel Dreyfus, French patriot, a Jew, falsely accused of treason, it said, as a matter of course:
There the line of demarcation between the two schools of patriotism was being definitely drawn—-on the one side the Monarchists, Catholics and super-Nationalists under the spell of anti-Semitism and the “honor of the army” fetish; on the other, Republicans, Protestants, Jews and radicals of every persuasion.
. The Jews persist in using their own brains. In doing so they accumulate property and influence, i e., loot. Hence the word has manifestly gone forth that the Jews must be butchered and their property seized. But an air of sanctity is maintained meantime.
Deeds that will not bear investigation are done in the dark; and it was in the dark, on the night of June 17,1940, that Marshal Petain, without the consent of the French people, was suddenly catapulted into power. Tn less than four months, i. e., on October 14, 1940, this man, after being lauded to the skies by the organ of the Vatican, Osservatore Romano, issued an order that henceforth all Jews in France were banned from public office. All this despite the fact-that Peon Blum, the so-called “Millionaire Socialist”, and a Jew, one of France’s ablest premiers, had been out of office only three years when Petain came in.
The Jews Are First in Line
It is easier to pick oh the Jews than on anybody else. They are in a minority. They do not defend themselves. They have property. They are not too popular, and, worst of all, they are thinkers, and thinking is not permitted in the totalitarian state, which is the Jesuit idea of heaven on earth.
So it was only two months after the decree of Vichy that the Jews must not
MARCH 17, 1843 engage in any business or profession where they might come in direct contact with the people, and Jewish lawyers must not constitute more than two percent of the legal profession, till along comes a decree from Alsace that the property of all Jews is confiscated and distributed to the conquerors. Those of the faithful who attended the auction sales of the homes of the dispossessed were told exactly what they must bid to get possession of the property. The finer furnishings of these Jewish homes were sent to Germany by the trainload to be passed out to those on papa’s side in the big fight. The headlines in the New York Tinies of December 17,1940, told the whole story quite well in a few lines: “Property of Jews in Alsace Seized; It Will Be Distributed Either Gratis or at Low Prices to Necessitous Evacuees; Furnishings Go to Keich; Auctions Attended Solely hv German Immigrants, Who Are Told' What to Bid.”
Conditions Get More Gruesome
Not to be outdone in meanness, Gen-' eral Otto von Stuelpnagel, commander in chief of the Nazi military forces in Occupied France, made a decree (December 12,1941) putting a fine of 1,000,000,000 francs on the Jews inhabiting the ‘occupied territory. It is so nice, when one wants a billion francs of spending money, to “fine” somebody who has the cash, rather than try to collect from some poor poilu whose possessions are limited to an undershirt and a pair of patched trousers.
It seems to be a certain sort of law or custom among gangsters that after one has been robbed of all his property it is best to go ahead and kill him. First, it destroys the evidence; and, second, it is a sort of conscience-husher. Dead men tell no tales, and it is inconvenient to have in one’s range of vision anybody that he has stripped of everything possessed. . .
In the roundup of Jews in Occupied France, preparatory to their dispatch to the horror lands of eastern Europe, three hundred Jews in Paris took their own lives. Women were seen to throw their babies out of sixth-story windows and to jump after them, screaming wild-t ly. A patient was ejected from the Roths-4 child hospital who had been operated on for cancer only7 twelve hours previously. Talk about the Inquisition, and German efficiency! Similar short shrift was given • to a woman only a few hours after the birth of her child. Police stood by while the child was born, and then ejected the woman. The evacuation of the hospital of Jewish patients (it was personally built for them) was accomplished by a Gestapo agent with whip in his hand.
When the time came for these slave battalions to be emigrated thousands of them were tightly’ packed into the Velodrome d’Hiver, where Parisians used to watch bicycle races. One -would have to be in such a jam to appreciate the amount of human suffering which this involves, especially in the disposal of bodily waste. At the same time (says the Manchester Guardian of September 4, 1942) four thousand Jewish children were rounded up, all documents and proofs of identity were taken away7 from them, and orders were issued for their sterilization. Thus made into eunuchs and slaves, they7 were at one and the same' time deprived of their parents,and of all possibilities of ever becoming such.
There is no letup, and there dare not be. The Clerical anti-Semites, eager for the total destruction of all republics, Spain, China, Russia, Germany7, United States, Mexico, and France, could see that it would never do to have in Unoccupied France twenty-five thousand alien Jews, innocent men that had fled from central Europe. So these were arrested and confined in a huge concentration camp at.Lyon, and, beginning August 7, 194-2, they7 were being sent every three days in cattle cars for forced labor in Germany or territories to the east thereof which have been occupied by German troops.
Jesuits Get Busy Everywhere
The word has gone out that Jews must be gotten rid of. The news gets around and the politicians soon learn what they must do if they want to have a big pail of milk with plenty7 of cream on it. Switzerland announced that it had reached the saturation point and could receive no more Jews. The Chamber of Deputies of Bolivia approved a proposal barring future immigration of Jews into their country.
Migrations from Antwerp, Belgium, to "unknown points” became so severe that in “News from Belgium”, October 31, 1942, it was recorded that in seven streets of the city7 formerly7 inhabited by Jews there were then 552 empty flats in which more than 5,000 Jews once lived.
It makes one sick at heart to read what happened to 14,000 Jews in Estonia in April, 1942, but only got around into the “News from Belgium” issue of October JO, 1942. The story7 leaked out through Palestine, also, confirming the following account of the new methods of the Inquisition, found necessary7 in the re-establishment of Otto Hapsburg’s and Pacelli’s “Holy” Roman Empire on a world-wide basis:
Immediately upon his entrance into Estho-nia, when he proclaimed himself its liberator, the commander in chief of the German army of occupation announced that special measures would be taken against the Jews, who would not be regarded as members of the national community7 but rather as a group of "parasitic excrescences” of which the country must be freed as soon as possible.
His first, measure was a census-taking of the Jews, followed by requisition not only of their homes but of their household belongings and even their clothes. This done, the Jews were put in a ghetto, organized almost like a concentration camp except that the ghetto members had permission to go out at certain rigorously fi^ed day7s and hours. Under these circumstances, it was no longer possible for merchants, lawyers, druggists, etc., to work;^ only doctors, and very few of these, were authorized to practice, but in a strictly temporary capacity.
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